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Podcasts for Teaching and Learning

BY SPY ROCK

For the last couple of years, iPods have been a very popular gift that parents gave to their children. Now the trend is changing and children are giving iPods to their parents. Parents and children may listen to different music or watch different videos, but the iPod is a familiar tool that multiple generations can use as a "common ground."

I think we should take advantage of this common ground and implement a program at the University that uses iPods and podcasts to supplement the instruction that takes place in the classroom. Since many students and faculty already use this technology to listen to music and podcasts or to watch videos, learning to use the technology in the teaching and learning environment should be fairly easy because they won't have to learn the technology from scratch—they will just need to learn a new way to use it.

One way we can do this is by inviting interested faculty to participate in a pilot program where we would supply them with an iPod that they would use to create podcasts to supplement their courses. The podcasts could be as simple as recording class sessions that students can use for review, or it could take advantage of video resources on campus to make a video podcast. Faculty would only need a little support to get started—the possibilities are unlimited.

Once students have this portable resource from their instructors, they can study anywhere their iPod can go—they don't need to be in the classroom or at a computer connected to the Internet. With podcasts, students can take the material to the gym, on the bus heading to the next class, or anyplace they might be going. With such additional options, students will be better able to review course material and come to class more prepared.

I believe we should get a program going for the 2007-2008 school year. There's no time like the present to make use of the technology that has become commonplace on campus. Let's take the lead in finding creative and innovative ways to make teaching and learning happen through a familiar and convenient tool—the iPod.